January

On learning that Lambert has moved south, Monck crosses the River Tweed into England in pursuit with 5,000 foot and 2,000 horse. Lambert's demoralised army breaks up on the first stage of its march. ODNB

Parliament issues an indemnity for life and estate to all Army officers involved in the recent coup on condition that they submit to Parliament's authority. The nine senior officers cashiered in October 1659, headed by Lambert and Disbrowe, ordered to repair to whichever of their residences is furthest from London. RCII

4

General Monck at Morpeth in Northumberland where he meets representatives of the City of London and confirms his intention to ensure the restoration of Parliament. RCII

The Common Council of London appoints a committee to confer with MPs for the return of the Members excluded in 1648 and for new parliamentary elections. The Council orders a re-organisation of the London Trained Bands during which many Royalist officers are appointed. To the alarm of Parliament, orders are also given to strengthen the gates of the City and to set up chains and posts in the several precincts. RCII

King Charles issues orders to the Great Trust to organise the counties of England into associations and to appoint local commissioners. RCE

5

Lieutenant-General Ludlow received by republican officers at Duncannon while officers in Dublin accuse him of neglecting his duty in Ireland and in Parliament, and of encouraging the usurpation of the army. ODNB

Parliament votes that the MPs discharged at Pride's Purge in 1648 are permanently expelled and that new Members should be elected in their places. RCII

6

Parliament orders Monck to proceed to London with his army. HCJ

9

A body of musketeers sent to arrest a number of the excluded MPs at Arthur Annesley's house, where they are meeting to draw up a declaration complaining at the injustice of their exclusion. The MPs escape before the soldiers arrive. RCII

Sir Henry Vane expelled from Parliament for having sided with the military junta. RCII

11

General Monck's army arrives at York. With no danger of further resistance from Lambert's forces, Monck sends two regiments back to Scotland under the command of Lieutenant-General Morgan. RCII

The first of the lists of officers appointed by the Army commissioners presented to Parliament for approval. RCII

13

An address to Monck from the county of Leicestershire calls for the return of the excluded MPs and a free Parliament. During the next few weeks, several counties issue similar addresses. RCII

16

Monck marches from York having received Parliament's orders to come to London. RCII

William Sydenham and Major Richard Salwey expelled from Parliament; Salwey imprisoned in the Tower. RCII

19

Articles of impeachment presented in Parliament against the commanders of the army and government commissioners in Ireland: Ludlow, Jones, Thomlinson, Corbet. New commissioners appointed.

23

Parliament issues a declaration affirming the establishment of the Commonwealth, without a King or House of Lords, to be governed by representatives of the people. RCII

26

A general indemnity offered to Lambert's army. Lambert himself ordered to retire to the house of Captain Baynes at Hornby in Yorkshire.

28

The gentry of Norfolk issue a declaration asserting that unless the excluded MPs were admitted to Parliament, the people of England could not be obliged to pay their taxes. RCII

General Monck writes to Parliament from St Albans in Hertfordshire asking that all the troops in London should be dispersed to garrisons across the country. He assures Parliament that his own army will be sufficient to garrison London. RCII, HCJ

30

Parliament approves Monck's lists and orders the dispersal of the troops in London. RCII

February

1

Mutiny among soldiers at St James's, who refuse to leave London until their arrears of pay are settled. Source: RCII

2

Further mutinies break out among soldiers stationed at Somerset House and Salisbury Court. Parliament orders the payment of one month's arrears, after which the soldiers obey orders and leave London. RCII

An apprentice riot breaks out at Leadenhall in support of the excluded MPs. The riot is suppressed by cavalry and around forty apprentices arrested, beaten up and imprisoned. RCII

3

General Monck's army arrives in London. RCII, DSP

4

Parliament resolves that its numbers should be made up to 400 members with constituencies distributed as they were in 1653. A committee appointed to supervise the re-arrangements. RCII

6

General Monck attends Parliament to receive the thanks of the House. He calls for moderation and urges new elections to fill the vacancies in Parliament. RCII

7

The Council of Officers in Dublin summons a Convention consisting of two representatives from each county and borough. RCII

Parliament orders the arrest of a number of individuals who had presented addresses to Monck or to Parliament for the reinstatement of the excluded MPs. RCII

8

Householders and freemen address a petition to the Lord Mayor and Common Council of London urging that no taxes should be paid until a full Parliament has voted them. RCII

9

On the recommendation of the Council of State, Parliament takes steps to coerce obedience from the citizens of London: Monck is ordered to remove the defensive posts and chains from the streets and to dismantle the City gates and portcullises; eleven named citizens to be arrested; the Common Council to be dissolved. Despite the protests of his officers, Monck carries out Parliament's orders. RCII

Parliament approves a petition presented by Praise-God Barbon and other godly citizens urging that all MPs and office holders should publicly denounce Charles Stuart and that anyone advocating the return of the King or the House of Lords should be adjudged guilty of treason. RCII

10

Monck hears the complaints of his officers and leading citizens regarding the actions in the City. Sir Thomas Clarges, Ashley Cooper and others persuade Monck to demand the re-admission of the secluded MPs and a free election. RCII

11

Monck sends a letter to Parliament insisting that writs for new elections be issued within a week. He apologises for his actions in dismantling the City gates and sends his soldiers to occupy the City. RCII

Sir Arthur Hesilrige leads moves in Parliament to have Monck replaced as commander-in-chief by Charles Fleetwood. Supreme military power to be vested in a five-man commission, of which Monck is a member but not one of the quorum. TR

"The Roasting of the Rump": a night of wild popular rejoicing in London and the provinces at news that the Rump Parliament is coming to an end. DSP

13

Parliament orders a month's pay for the soldiers in and around London, but only one-third of the necessary funds is available at the Treasury. HCJ, RCII

Parliament orders Colonel Lambert to appear before the Council of State; the Sergeant-at-Arms ordered to convey Sir Henry Vane from London; members of the old Committee of Safety ordered to appear before Parliament. HCJ

14-18

Monck arranges a series of meetings between representatives of Parliament and the secluded MPs in the hope of reaching agreement between them. RCII

15

After the Irish Convention issues a declaration in favour of the secluded MPs, Sir Hardress Waller seizes Dublin Castle. RCII

18

Sir Hardress Waller surrenders Dublin Castle to Sir Charles Coote. Waller is imprisoned while Coote purges the army in Ireland of officers and men likely to oppose the reinstatement of the Long Parliament. RCII

Lord Broghill and the officers in Munster issue a declaration denouncing Pride's Purge and supporting the Long Parliament. RCII

Parliament passes an act disqualifying various classes of people from voting or standing for election. AOI

Two ringleaders of the mutiny among the troops in London in early February hanged at Charing Cross; seven others are flogged. RCII

21

Under General Monck's protection, seventy-three surviving MPs purged in 1648 are re-admitted to Parliament and the Long Parliament is restored. Various parliamentary resolutions passed since December 1648 are rescinded to allow Presbyterian MPs excluded by the army to return to Parliament. RCII

Further widespread rejoicing in London and the provinces at the reinstatement of the Long Parliament. RCII

23

Parliament holds elections for a new Council of State of thirty-one members. TR

25

Parliament passes an act constituting the new Council of State. AOI

General Monck appointed captain-general and commander-in-chief of all the land Forces in England, Scotland and Ireland. John Lawson confirmed as vice-admiral of the navy. RCII

26

Monck sends Colonel Ingoldsby to take command of Colonel Rich's regiment in East Anglia after Rich is suspected of inciting a mutiny against Monck and the restored Long Parliament. RCII

27

Re-appointment of John Thurloe as joint Secretary of State with John Thompson. ODNB

28

A day of thanksgiving held in London for the return of the Long Parliament. RCII

Royalist gentry of Worcestershire issue a tract in favour of monarchy, in which they declare that they have no thought of revenge and wish only for peace and the unity of the nation. Similar declarations begin to be issued by Royalists in other regions. RCII

5

John Lambert appears before the Council of State. Unable to pay the impossibly high security of £20,000 demanded of him, he is sent to the Tower of London. ODNB

Parliament passes an act adopting the Confession of Faith presented by the Westminster Assembly in 1646 as the public confession of faith for the Church of England. The Solemn League and Covenant is ordered to be published and read once a year in every church and also to be set up in the Parliament House. RCII

Edward Stephens MP makes a speech in favour of monarchy and is applauded in the House of Commons. TR

6

Major-General Robert Overton replaced as governor of Hull and ordered to London. RCII

7

An assembly of army officers headed by Colonel Okey drafts a remonstrance protesting at the new Militia Act being prepared by Parliament and requiring MPs to declare against King and Lords. RCI, TRI

A bill introduced in Parliament for calling elections for a new Parliament to meet on 25 April. RCII

General Monck calls a conference of officers and MPs to address the soldiers' concerns regarding indemnity for past actions, secure possession of lands obtained since the civil wars and arrears of pay in the event of a change of régime. RCII

9

General Monck orders all officers to return to their commands, thus preventing any further assemblies or councils. RCII

12

Parliament passes a new Militia Act re-organising the militia in England and Wales and in London. AOI

Parliament orders the enforcement of laws against Roman Catholics. AOI

13

A proposal by Henry Marten and Thomas Scot to debar from voting anyone who has fought for the Royalists is defeated by ninety-three votes to fifty-six. RCII

14

Parliament revives the ordinance of 29 August 1648 that divides the counties of England and Wales into Presbyterian classes, but all existing ministers are allowed to keep their livings and separatists are allowed to meet. RCII

16

Final dissolution of the Long Parliament after MPs pass the Act of Dissolution and authorise free elections. The Council of State to exercise executive authority until the new Parliament assembles. RCII

17

General Monck holds a secret meeting with the King's representative Sir John Grenville at St James's Palace during which Monck pledges his allegiance to the King. RCII, RCE

19

Proclamations issued ordering all cavaliers and disbanded officers to leave London, but these are generally disregarded amid widespread rumours of the King's imminent return. RCII

23

Montagu joins the fleet accompanied by his secretary Samuel Pepys, where he is welcomed by Vice-Admiral Lawson. Montagu proceeds to report on disaffected officers to the Council of State. TR, DSP

Monck orders all officers to sign a declaration that they will obey the orders of their superiors, the Council of State and the new Parliament, and that they will hold no meetings for drafting declarations concerning matters of state. A number of officers in London are cashiered for refusing to sign. RCII

Publication of News from Brussels by Marchamont Nedham, an anti-monarchical tract purporting to be written by a cavalier anticipating the revenge that the King would seek if and when he was restored. ODNB

April

(First week of April) John Milton publishes an anti-monarchical tract: The Ready and Easy Way to Establishing a Free Commonwealth. Source: ODNB

4

Charles II leaves Brussels in the Spanish Netherlands for Breda in Holland. On the way, he gives Sir John Grenville the manifesto later known as the Declaration of Breda, and dispatches for Monck, Montagu, the Speakers of the Lords and Commons and the Lord Mayor of London. RCII

(Second week of April) John Milton publishes his last republican pamphlet: Brief Notes upon a Late Sermon in which he advocates an elected monarchy as preferable to the restoration of the Stuart dynasty. ODNB

9

The Council of State dismisses the republican Marchamont Nedham from editorship of official government newsbooks. ODNB

10

John Lambert escapes from the Tower and attempts to rally forces against the Restoration. RCII

11

The declaration of loyalty signed by the officers of regiments stationed in London and Yorkshire presented to General Monck, who then orders it to be signed by all other regiments in England and Scotland. RCII

May

1

Sir John Grenville presents the Declaration of Breda and letters from the King to both Houses of Parliament. The Houses answer with an acknowledgement that the government of the nation is, and ought to be, by King, Lords and Commons. Source: RCII

The House of Commons grants a subsidy of £50,000 to King Charles. HCJ

General Monck summons all the officers in and around London and communicates to them the Declaration and the King's letter. A council is formed to draft the officers' reply. RCII

Popular rejoicing throughout the nation at the prospect of the King's return. May Day celebrations held for the first time since the beginning of the civil wars. RCII

2

The Council of Officers presents their loyal address to General Monck and their acceptance of the Restoration. RCII

The King's letter to the Lord Mayor and aldermen of the City of London read by the Common Council, which then seeks and obtains Parliament's permission to send a formal reply. The arms of the Commonwealth ordered to be taken down and replaced by the royal arms. RCII

3

Samuel Pepys reads the King's letter to Montagu and the Declaration of Breda to officers and men in the fleet, which declares for the King. DSP

The Common Council of London votes £10,000 to the King, £2,000 to the Dukes of York and Gloucester and £300 to buy rings for Mordaunt and Grenville, the bearers of the King's letter. The Council also agrees to co-operate in raising a loan of £100,000 at the request of Parliament, half for the King and half to pay the army. RCII

5

Parliament declares that all proceedings involving the Great Seal of England shall henceforward be carried out in the King's name. RCII

7

The army in Ireland sends a loyal address to General Monck and declares its support for the Declaration of Breda. RCII

Parliament directs clergymen throughout the Three Kingdoms to pray for King Charles. RCII

8

King Charles proclaimed in London. RCII

The Convention Parliament declares Charles II to have been King since 30 January 1649. The arms of the Commonwealth taken down from above the Speaker's Chair and replaced by those of the King. HCJ

9

First reading in the House of Commons of the Bill of General Pardon, Indemnity, and Oblivion. HCJ

10

Parliament orders that the Scottish colours captured at the battles of Dunbar and Worcester be taken down from Westminster Hall. HCJ

11

Montagu's fleet of thirty-seven warships sails from the Downs to convey the King to England. Representatives of both Houses set out for Dover to receive him. DSP, RCII

12

Second reading of the Bill of General Pardon, Indemnity, and Oblivion. A journal of the proceedings of the High Court of Justice is read and a number of the commissioners present in Parliament offer their apologies and explanations for their actions. HCJ, RCII

Sir John Lenthall proposes that everyone who has borne arms against the King should be excepted from pardon, for which he is rebuked by the House. RCII

King Charles and his entourage board the fleet and set sail for England. The King and Duke of York re-name several warships, including Montagu's flagship the Naseby, which is re-named the Royal Charles. DSP

25

King Charles II lands at Dover where a huge multitude is assembled to greet him. The King proceeds to Canterbury. DSP

26

At Canterbury, the King invests the Order of the Garter on General Monck. DSP

27

Montagu receives the Order of the Garter aboard his flagship from Sir Edward Walker, Garter King-at-Arms. DSP

June

First reading of a bill to introduce a poll tax to finance the disbanding of the army. Source: TR

18

King Charles consults the Earl of Lauderdale and other Scottish nobles and gentry in London on the form of an interim government for Scotland. CII

21

King Charles meets commissioners of the Irish Convention who request the re-introduction of episcopacy in Ireland, with toleration of moderate Protestant dissenters. The King and his advisers immediately agree; archbishops and bishops are named within two days, with John Bramhall appointed Primate of All Ireland. CII

25

General Monck appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, though deputies and commissioners are appointed for the day-to-day government. CII

July

(Early July) A deputation of Ulster ministers sent to remind Charles of his obligations under the Solemn League and Covenant is coldly received. CII

7

General Monck created Earl of Torrington and Duke of Albemarle. He is granted substantial lands and an annual pension. ODNB

8

The Marquis of Argyll appears at Whitehall. The King orders his arrest for treason. ODNB

25

Charles appoints Lord Robartes as Monck's Lord Deputy in Ireland. Sir Charles Coote and Lord Broghill appointed presidents of Connacht and Munster respectively. A committee of the King's privy council appointed to advise on Irish affairs. CII

30

The King orders the seizure of former Crown and Church lands in the County Palatine of Durham. CII

November

Parliament appoints a committee to finalise the poll tax for financing the disbandment of the army. HCJ

7

A bill for the attainder of the fugitive regicides introduced into Parliament, along with the posthumous attainders of Cromwell, Ireton, Bradshaw and Pride. HCJ

27

Parliament resolves to grant the King an annual revenue of £1,200,000. HCJ

30

A royal declaration disowns all former dealings with the Confederates in Ireland and confirms the titles of confiscated Irish land in general. However, former Church lands are to be returned, as are those of Protestant Royalists and Catholics not implicated in the 1641 uprising. CII